[0001] This invention relates to blenders and to a material transfer device, in particular
for use with blenders and in other devices and applications.
[0002] The invention relates to a system and apparatus for transferring materials, and in
particular fluid materials such as particulate material, powders or liquids.
[0003] In patent specification
US 6012895 there is disclosed a dispensing apparatus for delivering granular material from a
hopper through a delivery pipe to a vessel. A venturi is mounted in the delivery pipe,
said venturi having an inlet connected to the hopper and an outlet connected to the
vessel. Compressed air is supplied to the venturi to draw material from the hopper
and feed the material through the delivery pipe to the hopper. A pressure regulator
system is provided for precisely controlling the pressure and flow rate of the compressed
air to precisely control the amount of granular material transferred between the hopper
and the vessel.
[0004] Document
GB 2 038 750 A discloses a material transfer device according to the preamble of claim 1.
[0005] According to the invention there is provided a material transfer device, including:
a pipe defining a material delivery path,
the pipe having a material inlet and a material discharge outlet,
means for delivering a gas stream along the material delivery path directed towards
the outlet, said gas delivering means comprising a gas inlet valve,
means for controlling the gas stream for controlling delivery of material through
the pipe, said control means being operable for pulsing the gas stream through the
pipe at a desired rate of flow of material through the pipe,
characterised in that the inlet or the outlet of the pipe is connected to an outlet or an inlet, respectively,
of a weighing device, said control means controlling said gas inlet valve to adjust
automatically the pulse length in response to the weight achieved.
[0006] The gas will usually be air, however, other gases may be used if required for particular
applications.
[0007] In another embodiment the gas control means comprises a pressure regulator mounted
upstream of the gas inlet valve.
[0008] In a particularly preferred embodiment there is provided means for delivering an
annular gas stream into the pipe.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment the means for delivering an annular gas stream into the
pipe comprises a gas inlet manifold extending about the pipe having an inlet for connection
to a pressurised gas supply and an outlet communicating with the material delivery
path. Preferably the outlet includes a number of circumferentially spaced-apart outlet
openings extending through the pipe and arranged to direct gas towards the outlet
of the pipe.
[0010] In a further embodiment the outlet of the means for delivering the annular gas stream
into the pipe is located intermediate the ends of the pipe for delivering the gas
stream into the pipe directed towards the outlet of the pipe.
[0011] In another embodiment, the means for delivering a gas stream along the material delivery
path has a gas outlet angled relative to the pipe to direct a gas stream into the
pipe towards the outlet of the pipe. The gas outlet may be angled at 45° to the material
delivery path or central longitudinal axis of the pipe.
[0012] In an further embodiment a material pick-up line connects into the pipe intermediate
the inlet and the outlet of the pipe, an outlet of the pick-up line opening into the
pipe, means for connecting the inlet of the pipe to a pressurised gas supply source,
in use delivery of a gas stream along the pipe generating a vacuum in the pick-up
line to suck up materials through the pick-up line for delivery through the pipe and
discharge at the outlet of the pipe.
[0013] In another embodiment the invention provides a blending apparatus incorporating the
material transfer device, said blending apparatus for controlled delivery of blend
additives to a material processing device and including a primary additive feed hopper
and at least one secondary additive feed hopper communicating with an additives discharge
chute having an upper inlet end and a lower outlet end for connection to an additive
inlet of the material processing device, the or each secondary additive feed hopper
having an associated feeding means for delivery of material from the secondary additive
feed hopper to the additives discharge chute, said feeding means comprising the material
transfer device, an inlet of the material transfer device being connected to the secondary
additive feed hopper and the outlet of the material transfer device communicating
with an interior of the additives discharge chute.
[0014] The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some
embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which;
Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a material transfer device according to the
invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the material transfer device
of the invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the material transfer
device of the invention;
Fig. 4 is a partially cut-away elevational view of a blender incorporating the material
transfer device;
Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the blender of Fig. 4 showing material flow in the
blender;
Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the blender shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the blender shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 8 is a partially cut-away elevational view of another blender incorporating the
material transfer device;
Fig. 9 is a sectional elevational view of a material feeder incorporating the material
transfer device;
Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of a high temperature blender according to another
embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of a high temperature blender shown in Fig. 11.
[0015] Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1 thereof, there is illustrated
a material transfer device according to the invention indicated generally by the reference
numeral 1. The device 1 includes a pipe 2 a bore of which defines a material delivery
path 3 having an Inlet 4 and an outlet 5. In the drawing the inlet 4 is shown disposed
within a reservoir or hopper 6 containing particulate material 7 for delivery through
the pipe 2 of the device 1. A gas Inlet manifold 10 extends about the pipe 2 and has
an inlet 11 for connection to a pressurised gas supply which in many cases will be
compressed air. An outlet of the manifold 10 is formed by a number of circumferentially
spaced-apart outlet slots or openings 12 which extend through the side wall of the
pipe 2 intermediate the ends of the pipe 2. As can be seen in the drawing the outlet
openings 12 are angled relative to the material delivery path 3 or central longitudinal
axis of the pipe 2 to direct a gas stream discharged from the openings 12 towards
the outlet 5 of the pipe 2. A pressurised gas supply is delivered to the manifold
10 through a gas supply line 14. The pressurised gas is controlled by means of a regulator
15 which is operable to regulate the pressure of the gas supply and a gas inlet valve
16 which is connected to a controller 22 which is operable to open and shut the valve
16 for desired time periods. The valve 16 may conveniently be operated by a solenoid
or the like to open and close as directed by the controller 22.
[0016] If desired also the regulator 15 may be connected to the controller 22 to allow regulation
of the gas pressure by means of the controller 22.
[0017] In use, the inlet end 4 of the pipe 2 is connected to a material supply which is
illustrated in the drawing as material 7 within the hopper 6. The gas supply line
14 is connected to a source of pressurised gas, typically compressed air. The desired
pressure of the gas can be set by manipulation of the regulator 15. When the gas inlet
valve 16 is open pressurised gas is delivered into the manifold 10 from where it is
discharged through the outlet openings 12 to form an annular gas stream directed towards
the outlet 5 of the pipe 2. This generates a vacuum In the pipe 2 upstream of the
openings 12 which draws the material 7 from the hopper 6, the material 7 becoming
entrained in the gas stream and discharged through the outlet 5 of the pipe 2.
[0018] It will be noted that the controller 22 for the gas inlet valve 16 is operable to
open and shut the valve 16 for pulsing the gas stream. By controlling the pulses of
the gas stream a desired quantity of material can be delivered through the pipe 2
in one or more discrete amounts.
[0019] The material transfer device can be used for example in a blending apparatus of the
type described in our earlier European patent application no.
96650040.7 (
EP 0761410). For example the device 1 may be used for controlling the filling of the feed hoppers
of such a blending apparatus or for controlling the discharge of secondary additive
material from the secondary additive feed hoppers of such a blending apparatus.
[0020] Fig. 2 shows the device 1 comprising a weigh hopper 20 for feed additive material
in such a blending apparatus. The inlet 4 of the device 1 is connected to a supply
hopper 6 containing the granular material 7 to be supplied to the weigh hopper 20.
The outlet 5 of the device 1 is connected to an inlet of the weigh hopper 20. Each
of the gas regulator 15, gas inlet valve 16 and load cells of the weigh hopper 20
are connected to a controller 22. The controller 22 is operable to control pulsing
of the pressurised gas supply to the device 1 in response to the sensed weight of
material in the weigh hopper 20 to regulate delivery of material 7 from the hopper
6 into the weigh hopper 20.
[0021] Referring now to Fig. 3 a system is shown incorporating the device 1 for regulating
discharge of material from a weigh hopper 20 of a blending apparatus of the type previously
mentioned. In this case the inlet 4 of the device 1 is connected to an outlet of the
weigh hopper 20 and the outlet 5 of the device 1 directs a measured stream of material
from the weigh hopper 20 into a processing line. The controller 22 is operable for
pulsing the pressurised gas supply to the device 1 for regulating the supply of material
from the weigh hopper 20 through the device 1 into the processing line.
[0022] Thus as described in the embodiments shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the device 1 can be used
for the controlled filling or discharge of material from a weigher.
[0023] The material transfer device described previously may be incorporated in blender
devices such as those described in our earlier European Patent Application Nos.
96650040.7 (
EP0761410) and
98650035.3 (
EP0911130), for example, for controlling delivery of material to or from a weigh hopper.
[0024] Referring to Figs. 4 to 7, a blender 50 is shown which includes a mixing chamber
51 above which is mounted a weigh hopper 52. The mixing chamber 51 has four side walls
54 arranged in an inverted pyramid shape so that the side walls 54 slope inwardly
and downwardly from an upper inlet 55 towards a lower outlet 56. A mounting flange
57 at the outlet 56 provides means for mounting the blender on a process line or the
like. A material transfer device 1 is mounted on one side wall 54 of the mixing chamber
51 with an inlet 4 adjacent a lower end of the side wall 54 for intake of particulate
material 58 from a lower end of the mixing chamber 51 and an outlet 5 adjacent an
upper end of the side wall 54 for discharge of material 58 against a deflector baffle
plate 59 mounted at a top of the mixing chamber 51 and angled downwardly in front
of the outlet 5 which directs material downwardly towards the lower end of the mixing
chamber 51. Thus, the material 58 can be circulated by the material transfer device
1 for mixing the material 58 within the mixing chamber 51.
[0025] The weigh hopper 52 is supplied with material from a number of raw materials supply
bins 60 which are mounted above the weigh hopper 52. Raw material is delivered in
a controlled manner from each supply bin 60 to the weigh hopper 52 as required by
means of material transfer devices 1 located at an outlet of each raw material supply
bin 60.
[0026] In use, a controller 22 controls operation of the material transfer devices 1 on
the bins 60 to deliver desired quantities of raw materials from the raw materials
supply bins 60 into the weigh hopper 52 which collects a batch of a number of different
raw materials which are to be weighed in a desired ratio. A level sensor 62 mounted
on a side wall 54 of the mixing chamber 51, which is also connected to the controller
22, indicates when the mixing chamber 51 is ready to receive a batch of material to
be mixed. The controller 22 then operates a discharge flap 63 at an outlet of the
weigh hopper 52 by means of a ram 64 to dump the batch of material from the weigh
hopper 52 into the mixing chamber 51. The flap 63 is then closed and a new batch of
materials can be collected in the weigh hopper 52. The controller 22 also regulates
operation of the material transfer device 1 on the mixing chamber 51 for circulation
and mixing of the materials 58 within the mixing chamber 51 to ensure a thorough mixing
of the material 58 prior to delivery of the mixed material into a production line
or the like.
[0027] Referring now to Fig. 8 there is shown another blender 100 which is largely similar
to the blender shown in Figs. 4 to 7 and like parts are assigned the same reference
numerals. In this case two material transfer devices 1 are provided mounted on opposite
side walls 54 of the mixing chamber 51. The outlets 5 of the material transfer devices
1 discharge material 58 against deflector baffles 59, streams of material 58 from
each of the outlets 5 intermingling as they move downwardly towards the lower end
of the mixing chamber 51.
[0028] Referring now to Fig. 9 there is shown a material feeder incorporating a material
transfer device of the invention, the material feeder being indicated generally by
the reference numeral 120. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned
the same reference numerals. A material transfer device 1 is mounted within a housing
121. A stepped tubular sleeve 122 mounted within the housing 121 engages about the
pipe 2 and has a discharge bore 123 which receives material from the outlet 5 of the
device 1. A deflector plate 124 is mounted at an outlet end of the sleeve 122 to direct
material 7 downwardly into a weigh hopper for example. An inlet of the pipe 2 of the
device 1 communicates with a material supply bin 125. Operation of the material transfer
device 1 delivers particulate material 7 from the supply bin 125 for discharge through
the outlet 5. The material feeder 120 may be conveniently incorporated in blender
devices of the type described in our earlier European patent application nos.
96650040.7 (
EP 0761410) and
98650035.3 (
EP 0911130), replacing the screw feeders for delivering particulate material into the additives
discharge chute or into the feed or weigh hoppers of these blenders.
[0029] The material transfer device of the invention uses a pulsed air stream for the controlled
transport of material through a pipe. This effect can be created in a number of ways,
some examples of which are described above. Various different ways of delivering the
material into the pulsed air stream are also possible.
[0030] The material transfer device and system of the invention can conveniently be used
in batch blenders generally for the controlled filling or discharge of material from
a weigh hopper. The pulse duration of the solenoid controlling the gas inlet valve
can be varied to achieve a target material feed weight for each batch of material.
The solenoid operated gas inlet valve can be pulsed for varying durations based upon
the material dispensed with each pulse and compared to a desired weight.
[0031] Blending of two or more materials in any desired ratio over a fixed time period may
be achieved by varying the feed rates in each of the material transfer devices used.
[0032] The pulse length controlling the gas inlet valve is automatically adjusted in response
to the weight achieved. By sensing the loss or gain in weight of material in a hopper
this can be used to change the pulse duration to maintain or change the rate of flow
of material either into or out of the hopper as required.
[0033] It will be appreciated that the material transfer device may be operated by means
of a series of pulses to give a continuous flow rate controlled by the rate or frequency
of the pulses.
[0034] Instead of using a solenoid to control the gas inlet valve any other suitable controller
could be used such as a pneumatic controller.
[0035] The material transfer device can also be used to meter the feed rate of powders or
liquids.
[0036] It is envisaged that the material transfer device may also be used in food dispensing
applications as a dispensing machine for dispensing weighed amounts of ingredients
for example in building up a pizza or the like food product. Similarly, in the pharmaceutical
Industry the preparation of mixtures of various components for a particular product
may be readily easily controlled by material transfer devices of the invention.
[0037] Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11 there is shown a high temperature blender according
to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 70. The blender 70 has
material handling apparatus mounted within a sealed housing 71 of double wall construction,
that is having inner walls 72 (shown in broken outline in Fig. 10) and associated
outer walls 73 spaced - apart therefrom leaving an air gap 74 therebetween. Insulation
material may be mounted in the air gap 74 if desired.
[0038] The material handling apparatus includes a weigh hopper 75 which is suspended within
the housing 71 by means of a pair of mutually sliding and overlapping arms 76, 77
each having an outer end attached to a load cell 78 which is mounted outside the housing
71 and a free inner end 80, 81. Collars 83 engage and support the arms 76, 77 and
allow them slide longitudinally relative to each other to accommodate thermal expansion.
Hangers 85 depend from the inner ends 80, 81 of the arms 76, 77 to support opposite
sides of a flanged rim 87 of the weigh hopper 75. As the load cells 78 are mounted
outside the housing 71 on an exterior of the housing 71, they are thermally isolated
from the interior of the housing 71. A raw material supply bin or chute 88 is mounted
above the weigh hopper 75 for controlled delivery of material to the weigh hopper
75. A discharge flap 90 is mounted at a lower outlet end of the weigh hopper 75 and
this is operated by a ram 91. Mounted directly below the weigh hopper 75 is a mixing
chamber 92 having an open top and an outlet 93 at the lower end of the mixing chamber
92. A mixing screw 94 is located within a trough at a bottom end of the mixing chamber
92 for mixing material within the mixing chamber 92 prior to discharge through the
outlet 93. The mixing screw 94 projects outwardly through the double walls of the
housing 71 and is coupled to a drive motor 95. It will be noted that the motor 95
is mounted spaced - apart from the housing 71 upon a number of support struts 96.
It will be noted also that the portion of the screw 94 which passes through the air
gap 74 between the twin walls 72, 73 is provided with fins for heat dissipation to
prevent or at least minimise heat travel along the screw 94 to the motor 95. As an
alternative to the mixing screw 94 an arrangement of material transfer device 1 on
the side wall of the mixing chamber 92 - similar to the arrangements shown in Figs.
4 to 7 or Fig. 8 may be employed for mixing the material in the mixing chamber 92.
[0039] It will be noted from Fig. 11 that a control box 97 is also mounted spaced - apart
from the housing 71 upon mounting struts 98.
[0040] A hinged door 99 with a window is provided at a front of the housing 71 to allow
access to an interior of the housing 71. This door 99 is also of twin wall construction
having an inner high temperature glass panel and an outer plexiglass exterior panel.
A high temperature resilient seal is provided between the inner high temperature glass
panel and the periphery of the opening over which the door 99 is mounted.
[0041] It will be noted that the housing 71 is sealed to prevent ingress of ambient air
which might provide moisture for absorption by the material being processed in the
blender 70. It will also be noted that the double skin on the housing provides both
insulation and protection against burning if the outside of the housing 71 is accidentally
touched when the blender 70 is in use. Typically the material being processed through
the blender 70 might have a temperature in the order of 200°C.
[0042] In use, materials from supply hoppers 88 are delivered In a desired ratio to the
weigh hopper 75. This may be done in any suitable method, for example by using material
transfer devices 1 of the type previously described. When the level of the material
in the mixing chamber 92 falls to a predetermined level, the weigh hopper 75 dumps
a fresh batch of material into the mixing chamber 92 and the mixing screw 94 (or material
transfer device) mixes the material within the mixing chamber 92 prior to discharge
of the material through the outlet 93 into a processing line or the like.
[0043] The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may
be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.
1. A material transfer device (1), including:
a pipe (2) defining a material delivery path (3),
the pipe (2) having a material inlet (4) and a material discharge outlet (5),
means (10, 11, 12, 14) for delivering a gas stream along the material delivery path
(3) directed towards the outlet (5), said gas delivering means comprising a gas inlet
valve (16),
means (22) for controlling the gas stream for controlling delivery of material through
the pipe (2), said control means (22) being operable for pulsing the gas stream through
the pipe (2) at a desired rate of flow of material through the pipe (2),
characterised in that the inlet (4) or the outlet (5) of the pipe (2) is connected to an outlet or an inlet,
respectively, of a weighing device (20, 52), said control means (22) controlling said
gas inlet valve (16) to adjust automatically the pulse length in response to the weight
achieved.
2. A material transfer device (1) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gas control means
further includes means (15) for regulating the pressure of the gas.
3. A material transfer device (1) as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means comprises
a pressure regulator (15) mounted upstream of the gas inlet valve (16).
4. A material transfer device (1) as claimed in any preceding claim including means for
delivering an annular gas steam into the pipe (2).
5. A material transfer device (1) as claimed in claim 4 wherein the means for delivering
an annular gas stream into the pipe (2) comprises a gas inlet manifold (10) extending
about the pipe (2) having an inlet (11) for connection to a pressurised gas supply
and an outlet (12) communicating with the material delivery path (3).
6. A material transfer device (1) as claimed in claim 5 wherein the outlet includes a
number of circumferentially spaced-apart outlet openings (12) extending through the
pipe (2) and arranged to direct gas towards the outlet (5) of the pipe (2).
7. A material transfer device (1) as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the outlet (12)
of the means (10) for delivering the annular gas stream into the pipe (2) is located
intermediate the ends of the pipe (2) for delivering the gas stream into the pipe
(2) directed towards the outlet (5) of the pipe (2).
8. A material transfer device (1) as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means
for delivering a gas stream along the material delivery path has a gas outlet (12)
angled relative to the pipe (2) to direct a gas stream into the pipe (2) towards the
outlet (5) of the pipe (2).
9. A blending apparatus incorporating the material transfer device as claimed in any
of claims 1 to 8, said blending apparatus for controlled delivery of blend additives
to a material processing device, including a primary additive feed hopper and at least
one secondary additive feed hopper communicating with an additives discharge chute
having an upper inlet end and a lower outlet end for connection to an additive inlet
of the material processing device, the or each secondary additive feed hopper having
an associated feeding means for delivery of material from the secondary additive feed
hopper to the additives discharge chute, wherein said feeding means comprises the
material transfer device, an inlet of the material transfer device being connected
to the secondary additive feed hopper and the outlet of the material transfer device
communicating with an interior of the additives discharge chute.
1. Materialüberführungsvorrichtung (1), die Folgendes umfasst:
ein Rohr (2), das einen Materialbeförderungsweg (3) begrenzt,
wobei das Rohr (2) einen Materialeinlass (4) und einen Materialabgabeauslass (5) aufweist,
Mittel (10, 11, 12, 14) zum Befördern eines Gasstrom entlang des Materialbeförderungswegs
(3), der zum Auslass hin gerichtet ist, wobei die Gasbeförderungsmittel ein Gaseinlassventil
(16) aufweisen,
ein Mittel (22) zum Steuern des Gasstroms zum Steuern der Beförderung von Material
durch das Rohr (2), wobei das Steuermittel (22) zum Pulsieren des Gasstroms durch
das Rohr (2) bei einer gewünschten Durchsatzmenge von Material durch das Rohr (2)
betätigt werden kann,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Einlass (4) oder der Auslass (5) des Rohrs (2) an einen Auslass bzw. einen Einlass
einer Wiegeeinrichtung (20, 52) angeschlossen ist, wobei das Steuermittel (22) das
Gaseinlassventil (16) steuert, um die Pulslänge automatisch als Reaktion auf das erzielte
Gewicht anzupassen.
2. Materialüberführungsvorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1, bei der das Gassteuermittel weiter
ein Mittel (15) zum Regulieren des Gasdrucks umfasst.
3. Materialüberführungsvorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 2, bei der das Mittel einen Druckregler
(15) aufweist, der stromaufwärts von dem Gaseinlassventil (16) angebracht ist.
4. Materialüberführungsvorrichtung (1) nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, die ein Mittel
zum Befördern eines ringförmigen Gasstroms in das Rohr (2) umfasst.
5. Materialüberführungsvorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 4, bei der das Mittel zum Befördern
eines ringförmigen Gasstroms in das Rohr (2) einen Gaseinlassverteiler (10) aufweist,
der sich um das Rohr (2) herum erstreckt und einen Einlass (11) zum Anschluss an eine
Druckgasversorgung und einen Auslass (12) umfasst, der mit dem Materialbeförderungsweg
(3) kommuniziert.
6. Materialüberführungsvorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 5, bei der der Auslass eine Anzahl
am Umfang mit Abstand verteilter Auslassöffnungen (12) umfasst, die sich durch das
Rohr (2) erstrecken und angeordnet sind, um Gas zum Auslass (5) des Rohrs (2) hin
zu richten.
7. Materialüberführungsvorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, bei der sich der Auslass
(12) des Mittels (10) zum Befördern des ringförmigen Gasstroms in das Rohr (2) zwischen
den Enden des Rohrs (2) befindet, um den Gasstrom zum Auslass (5) des Rohrs (2) hin
gerichtet in das Rohr (2) zu befördern.
8. Materialüberführungsvorrichtung (1) nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, bei der das
Mittel zum Befördern eines Gasstroms entlang des Materialbeförderungswegs einen Gasauslass
(12) aufweist, der in Bezug zum Rohr (2) abgewinkelt ist, um einen Gasstrom in das
Rohr (2) zum Auslass (5) des Rohrs (2) hin zu richten.
9. Mischgerät, das die Materialüberführungsvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis
8 enthält, wobei das Mischgerät zur gesteuerten Beförderung gemischter Zusatzstoffe
zu einer Materialverarbeitungseinrichtung einen primären Zusatzstoffeinfülltrichter
und mindestens einen sekundären Zusatzstoffeinfülltrichter umfasst, der mit einer
Zusatzstoffaustragsrutsche mit einem oberen Einlassende und einem unteren Auslassende
zum Anschluss an einen Zusatzstoffeinlass der Materialverarbeitungseinrichtung kommuniziert,
wobei der oder jeder sekundäre Zusatzstoffeinfülltrichter ein zugehöriges Einfüllmittel
zum Befördern von Material aus dem sekundären Zusatzstoffeinfülltrichter zu der Zusatzstoffaustragsrutsche
umfasst, wobei das Einfüllmittel die Materialüberführungsvorrichtung enthält, ein
Einlass der Materialüberführungsvorrichtung an den sekundären Zusatzstoffeinfülltrichter
angeschlossen ist und der Auslass der Materialüberführungsvorrichtung mit einem Innenraum
der Zusatzstoffaustragsrutsche kommuniziert.
1. Dispositif de transfert de matière (1), comprenant :
un tuyau (2) définissant une trajectoire d'acheminement de matière (3), le tuyau (2)
ayant une entrée de matière (4) et une sortie de décharge de matière (5),
un moyen (10, 11, 12, 14) destiné à acheminer un flux gazeux le long de la trajectoire
d'acheminement de matière (3) en direction de la sortie (5), ledit moyen d'acheminement
de gaz comportant un robinet d'entrée de gaz (16),
un moyen (22) destiné à contrôler le flux gazeux à des fins de contrôle de l'acheminement
de la matière au travers du tuyau (2), ledit moyen de contrôle (22) fonctionnant pour
pulser le flux gazeux au travers du tuyau (2) à un débit souhaité d'écoulement de
la matière au travers du tuyau (2),
caractérisé en ce que l'entrée (4) ou la sortie (5) du tuyau (2) est connectée à une sortie ou une entrée,
respectivement, d'un dispositif de pesage (20, 52), ledit moyen de contrôle (22) contrôlant
ledit robinet d'entrée de gaz (16) pour ajuster automatiquement la longueur d'impulsion
en réaction au poids réalisé.
2. Dispositif de transfert de matière (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le moyen
de contrôle du gaz comprend par ailleurs un moyen (15) destiné à réguler la pression
du gaz.
3. Dispositif de transfert de matière (1) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel ledit
moyen comporte un régulateur de pression (15) monté en amont du robinet d'entrée de
gaz (16).
4. Dispositif de transfert de matière (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
comprenant un moyen destiné à acheminer un flux gazeux annulaire dans le tuyau (2).
5. Dispositif de transfert de matière (1) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le moyen
destiné à acheminer un flux gazeux annulaire dans le tuyau (2) comporte un collecteur
d'entrée de gaz (10) s'étendant autour du tuyau (2) ayant une entrée (11) à des fins
de connexion à une alimentation en gaz sous pression et une sortie (12) communiquant
avec la trajectoire d'acheminement de matière (3).
6. Dispositif de transfert de matière (1) selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la sortie
comprend un certain nombre d'ouvertures de sortie espacées de manière circonférentielle
(12) s'étendant au travers du tuyau (2) et disposées pour diriger le gaz vers la sortie
(5) du tuyau (2).
7. Dispositif de transfert de matière (1) selon la revendication 5 ou la revendication
6, dans lequel la sortie (12) du moyen (10) destiné à acheminer le flux gazeux annulaire
dans le tuyau (2) est située de manière intermédiaire entre les extrémités du tuyau
(2) à des fins d'acheminement du flux gazeux dans le tuyau (2) en direction de la
sortie (5) du tuyau (2).
8. Dispositif de transfert de matière (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le moyen destiné à acheminer un flux gazeux le long de la trajectoire
d'acheminement de matière a une sortie de gaz (12) inclinée par rapport au tuyau (2)
pour diriger un flux gazeux dans le tuyau (2) vers la sortie (5) du tuyau (2).
9. Appareil mélangeur incorporant le dispositif de transfert de matière selon l'une quelconque
des revendications 1 à 8, ledit appareil mélangeur permettant l'acheminement contrôlé
des additifs de mélange jusqu'à un dispositif de traitement de matière, comprenant
une trémie principale d'alimentation d'additifs et au moins une trémie secondaire
d'alimentation d'additifs communiquant avec une goulotte de décharge d'additifs ayant
une extrémité d'entrée supérieure et une extrémité de sortie inférieure à des fins
de connexion à une entrée d'additifs du dispositif de traitement de matière, ladite
ou chaque trémie secondaire d'alimentation d'additifs ayant un moyen d'alimentation
associé à des fins d'acheminement de matière de la trémie secondaire d'alimentation
d'additifs à la goulotte de décharge d'additifs, dans lequel ledit moyen d'alimentation
comporte le dispositif de transfert de matière, une entrée du dispositif de transfert
de matière étant connectée à la trémie secondaire d'alimentation d'additifs et la
sortie du dispositif de transfert de matière communiquant avec un intérieur de la
goulotte de décharge d'additifs.